LCAHouston Magazine Summer 2019

LIFEBYTES
Making Changes
&
Taking Chances
Ekta Viiveck Verma and husband Viiveck Verma
Ekta Viiveck Verma unveils the idiosyncrasies of society with LCAHouston Editor
and International Correspondent Ruchi Mukherjee and ponders over friendships,
family upbringings, the education system and how at almost every level society
teaches us to simply tolerate abuse.
my life I have been told “adjust karo beta”
(just compromise) so many times over and
over again, that this statement fixed itself in
“All
my mind,” says Ekta Viiveck Verma, founder
of Invisible Scars, a support group for individuals facing
non-physical abuse, which aims to create a safe space for
victims of abuse while creating dialogue and breaking
social stigma.
Growing up, Ekta was witness to multiple instances of
verbal and domestic abuse. She was aghast by how these
instances were normalized by calling them conflicts. These
"conflicts" apparently seem to happen everywhere and the
abuser is never questioned or shamed. In fact, it is never
understood or accepted as abuse, whereas the victim is
always silenced, asked to compromise and to bear the cross
of an unhappy relationship all alone.
“Most often women are participants in this kind of abuse
to another woman, reinforcing the myth one woman
cannot tolerate another woman doing better. With a
lack of awareness, comes a lack of empathy and a lack of
understanding of the impact of such silent abuse,” she
shared. “As soon as we think of domestic abuse we picture
a man hitting a woman,” says Ekta. Domestic abuse is
identified by very narrow parameters. The understanding
that domestic abuse exists within all domestic relationships
is critical to her and creating a new focus on non-physical
domestic abuse, through her support group.
Being part of the support group helps members have each
other’s backs, and increases their support system all over
the world. "By helping yourself or helping someone else
who is suffering in silence", is their motto.
Changing the narrative around domestic abuse is absolutely
imperative for Ekta. She believes in focusing on the mental
health and well-being of women, and to create a supportive
ecosystem. She wants women to know that it is necessary
to set physical and emotional boundaries in relationships.
“Our online presence makes us reachable from all parts
of the world. We have been around for almost three years
and during that short time frame we have helped over 600
victims,” shares Verma.
Mother to two beautiful adopted daughters Ridheiy and
Mishkkaa, today Ekta is happily based in Hyderabad,
India with her husband Viiveck Verma, who is not only
supportive of her endeavors, but an active participant in
making a difference in the community to bring change
towards such issues. “It’s not only about changing the way
we look at abuse but at creating a safer environment for our
daughters, empowering them and making them mentally
strong,” concludes Ekta.
Ekta with her daughters
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Photos Courtesy | Ekta Viiveck Verma
LCAHouston.com 2019